The game is afoot with a thrilling new Sherlock Holmes adventure at Leeds Playhouse

A world premiere based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective is coming to the Courtyard Theatre at Leeds Playhouse as part of a major UK tour. Created by the team behind Blackeyed Theatre’s acclaimed productions of The Sign of Four and The Valley of Fear, Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty arrives in Leeds on 10-12 February.

London, 1901. As the British Empire wages war in the name of a Queen whose health is failing, a series of mysterious events reveals a crack in the corridors of power. A crack that threatens to destabilise the monarchy, government and Empire. At its centre, controlling the flow of information and influence, a shadowy figure plans a final deadly move.

Drawn into the game and unsure who to trust, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson find themselves confronting figures from their past in a desperate race against time, aware that the most powerful person in the world could be in the pocket of one of the most corrupt. But just how much is Holmes willing to sacrifice as he faces ‘checkmate’?

Writer and Director Nick Lane said: “After working with Blackeyed on two previous adaptations of Conan Doyle novels, it was really exciting to be asked back to create something a little different for our third Holmes collaboration. We’ve pulled together a handful of the wonderful short stories – or “adventures” as Conan Doyle entitles them – and woven them into a single, thrilling tale featuring Holmes’ most feared, but little-seen, adversary Professor Moriarty.

“It’s been fun capturing the pace, spirit and character of Doyle’s original adventures, and our hope is that, like the stories themselves, The Hunt for Moriarty will keep audiences gripped – and guessing – right to the last.”

Artistic Director of Blackeyed Theatre Adrian McDougall said: “There is something wonderfully comforting about Sherlock Holmes and the world of 221B Baker Street, and we’re once again revelling in the opportunity to bring that world to life for our audiences.  

“We have a brilliant team of artists involved and I know their love and passion for the original Holmes stories will shine through this production, while allowing for audiences to discover things that are new and exciting.”

Featuring powerful performances, a thrilling soundscape and innovative design, Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty interweaves a selection of Sherlock Holmes short stories into a single narrative, offering both Holmes fans and those new to the canon a thrilling new adventure that remains true to Conan Doyle’s work. The short stories used in the play are The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, A Scandal in Bohemia, The Adventure of the Second Stain and The Final Problem.

The cast comprises Mark Knightley (The Colours, Soho Theatre; The Listening Room, The Lowry, Northern Stage, Theatr Clwyd) as Sherlock Holmes, Ben Owora (Still Breathing, Unlock The Chains Collective, Mary Queen of Scots, English National Opera) as Doctor Watson, Pippa Caddick (The Weyard Sisters, Riverside Studios, Witches of God, Amazon Prime) as Irene Adler and Mrs Hudson, Gavin Molloy (Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear, Blackeyed Theatre, The Alchemist, Riverside Studios) as Professor Moriarty and Inspector Lestrade, Robbie Capaldi (Do You Believe In Ghosts?, Adelphi Theatre, West End, Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Universal/Warner Brothers) as Sir James DeWilde and Eliot Giuralarocca (Witness for the Prosecution, London County Hall, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Harold Pinter Theatre, West End) as Mycroft Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty is adapted and directed by Nick Lane (Associate Director and Literary Manager at Hull Truck from 2006 to 2014) with original music composed by Tristan Parkes. The creative team also includes Rob Myles (Fight Director), Victoria Spearing (Set Designer), Madeleine Edis (Costume Designer) and Oliver Welsh (Lighting Designer).

Listings info

Blackeyed Theatre, in association with Theatre Royal Winchester and South Hill Park, presents

Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty

Adapted by Nick Lane from the work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

10-12 February

Courtyard Theatre, Leeds Playhouse

1hr 50mins (inc interval)

11+

Box office: 0113 213 7700

Book online: leedsplayhouse.org.uk